Police Confirm Protest Ban in Downtown Yangon

Various faith groups gathered and prayed for nationwide peace on Oct. 31, 2017 in Yangon. Amid unrest in Rakhine, the interfaith rallies were held across the country. / Chanson / The Irrawaddy

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By Tin Htet Paing 10 November 2017

YANGON — Yangon police have confirmed that demonstrations and rallies will no longer be permitted in the city’s downtown and other dense urban areas, according to an order from the Regional Home Affairs Ministry.

The areas are in critical parts of the city and have thoroughfares used by the public and VIPs. Rallies interrupt commuter traffic, cause a nuisance to the public, and raise safety concerns, the directive said.

Groups applying to hold rallies within the 11 townships will be directed to Hit Taing field in Tamwe Township. Police officials from Botahtaung and Pabedan townships confirmed to The Irrawaddy that they had received the order on Wednesday.

Yangon’s City Hall is located in Kyauktada Township in the heart of downtown and is one of the most concentrated areas in the city. Most rallies and demonstrations are held outside Mahabandoola Park, which is located in front of City Hall, to draw attention from the public.

The latest gatherings to be held in front of City Hall were an interfaith peace rally organized by the Yangon chapter of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party on Oct. 31 and attended by Divisional Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, and a pro-military and nationalist rally, in which thousands of people participated.